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1. How many gods are there in the universe?
A. One - The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God in existence, anywhere, any time, any place.

Isaiah:44:6Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.,8 say, "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. . . Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any."

See also, Isaiah:45:6that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else.; 14, 18, 21, 22.

2. The Trinity is . . .
C. One God in three persons - God is a trinity. God is three simultaneous persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though there is no single verse that establishes the trinity, it is derived from many.

There is only one God. Yet, the Father is called God (Philippians 1:2); Jesus is called God (John:1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God., 14; 8:58; Hebrews:1:8but of the Son [he saith,] Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.); and the Holy Spirit is called God (Acts:5:3-4[3]But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?[4]While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God.).

3. Jesus is. . .
A. God in flesh - Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. He became a man in order to die on the cross.

Colossians:2:9for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

John:1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.,14 "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. . . And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. . ."

See also, Hebrews:1:8but of the Son [he saith,] Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.; Philippians 2;5-8; John:8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am. with Exodus:3:14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.; Zechariah:12:10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born..

4. How many natures does Jesus have?
B. Two - Jesus has two natures. He is both God and man.

Colossians:2:9for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

See also Philippians 2:5-8; John:8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am. with Exodus:3:14And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.; Hebrews:1:8but of the Son [he saith,] Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom..

5. The Holy Spirit is . . .
C. The third person in the Trinity - The Holy Spirit is a person like the Father and the Son. He is not a force like radar. He is not merely an energy presence. He is, like the Father and the Son, God.

Acts:5:3-4[3]But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?[4]While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

6. Sin is . . .
D. Breaking God's law - God has revealed His character and will in the Law. To sin is to offend God; it is to break His law.

1 John:3:4Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness., "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness."

See also Romans:3:20because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law [cometh] the knowledge of sin.; 4:15; 7:7-13; James:2:9but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors.; 1 John:5:17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.;

7. Human nature is basically . . .
B. Sinful - The Bible reveals that we are sinners. Because Adam fell, we fell with him. We inherited his sinful nature. All of what we are, body, soul, spirit, mind, emotions, etc. is touched by sin.

According to God's word, the sinner (the unsaved), cannot understand spiritual things (1 Corinthians:2:14Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.); is full of evil (Mark:7:21-23[21]For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,[22]covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness:[23]all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.); does not seek for God (Romans:3:11There is none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God;); is lawless, rebellious, unholy, and profane (1 Timothy:1:9as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,), etc.

8. In what manner did Jesus rise from the dead?
B. In the same body he died in. - Jesus rose from the dead in the same body that he died in. It retained His scars. Though His body was resurrected and glorified, but it was the same body.

John:2:19-21[19]Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.[20]The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?[21]But he spake of the temple of his body., "Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.' The Jews replied, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?' But the temple he had spoken of was his body."

Luke:24:39See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having., "Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

9. Hell is . . .
C. A place of eternal fire and torment - Many think hell is a state of mind, right here on earth, or that it simply doesn't exist. It does. The Bible tells us about it.

Mark:9:43And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire., "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out."

Revelation:14:11, "And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."

See also, Luke:16:19-31[19]Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:[20]and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores,[21]and desiring to be fed with the [crumbs] that fell from the rich man`s table; yea, even the dogs come and licked his sores.[22]And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham`s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.[23]And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.[24]And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.[25]But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted and thou art in anguish.[26]And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.[27]And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father`s house;[28]for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.[29]But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.[30]And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.[31]And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.; 2 Peter:2:4For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;; Matthew:22:13Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.; Jude 6, 23; Revelation:21:8.

10. Heaven is . . .
C. A place of eternal joy and peace with God. - Heaven is the dwelling place of God and of those who are saved through Jesus.

Psalm:20:6Now know I that Jehovah saveth his anointed; He will answer him from his holy heaven With the saving strength of his right hand., "Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand."

John:14:2In my Father`s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you., "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."

See also Psalm:102:19For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; From heaven did Jehovah behold the earth;; 123:1; Matthew:5:34but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;; 2 Corinthians:12:3And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),,4

11. Salvation is . . .
D. Deliverance from the eternal consequence of sin: Damnation - Salvation is the act where God, through the atonement of Jesus, forgives a person of his sins. He is justified before God and saved from damnation.

Romans:5:1Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans:8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus., "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

See also, Matthew:1:21And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.; Hebrews:2:14Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;, 15; Romans:5:9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath [of God] through him.; John:3:17For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him..

12. Salvation is attained by. . .
B. Grace through faith - Forgiveness of sins is not conditioned by anything that we do, but it is all a gift of God's grace through faith

Ephesians:2:8for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God;, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."

Romans:6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord., "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

See also, John:3:14-18[14]And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up;[15]that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.[16]For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.[17]For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.[18]He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God..

13. The Devil is . . .
D. An angel who rebelled against God - The devil, also called Satan, was an angel who lifted himself in pride and rebelled against God. He is evil, wicked, a deceiver, and powerful.

2 Corinthians:11:14And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light., ". . . Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light . . ."

John:8:44Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof., "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

See also, Isaiah:14:12-20[12]How art thou fallen from heaven, O day-star, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations![13]And thou saidst in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north;[14]I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.[15]Yet thou shalt be brought down to Sheol, to the uttermost parts of the pit.[16]They that see thee shall gaze at thee, they shall consider thee, [saying], Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;[17]that made the world as a wilderness, and overthrew the cities thereof; that let not loose his prisoners to their home?[18]All the kings of the nations, all of them, sleep in glory, every one in his own house.[19]But thou art cast forth away from thy sepulchre like an abominable branch, clothed with the slain, that are thrust through with the sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a dead body trodden under foot.[20]Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people; the seed of evil-doers shall not be named for ever.; Ezekiel:28:14-19[14]Thou wast the anointed cherub that covereth: and I set thee, [so that] thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.[15]Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till unrighteousness was found in thee.[16]By the abundance of thy traffic they filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore have I cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God; and I have destroyed thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.[17]Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I have cast thee to the ground; I have laid thee before kings, that they may behold thee.[18]By the multitude of thine iniquities, in the unrighteousness of thy traffic, thou hast profaned thy sanctuaries; therefore have I brought forth a fire from the midst of thee; it hath devoured thee, and I have turned thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.[19]All they that know thee among the peoples shall be astonished at thee: thou art become a terror, and thou shalt nevermore have any being.

14. The Bible is . . .
A. The inspired word of God. - The Bible is authored by God, through men. They were inspired. The original documents were without error or contradiction.

2 Timothy:3:16Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness., "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. . . "

See also, Revelation:22:19; Acts:17:11Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

15. The Rapture is . . .
C. The catching up of God's people into the sky. - It may sound odd. But the rapture is when Jesus returns to gather His people. Those who are alive when this happens will not see death, but will be changed.

1 Thessalonians:4:16-17[16]For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;[17]then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord., "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

See also, 1 Corinthians:15:51-53[51]Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,[52]in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.[53]For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality..

16. Adam and Eve . . .
A. Were the first man and woman created by God - They were created by God, lived in the Garden of Eden, are our ancient parents.

Genesis:2:20And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the heavens, and to every beast of the field; but for man there was not found a help meet for him. - 21, "So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man."

See also, Genesis:1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.,27; Genesis:2:7And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.; Romans:5:12-14[12]Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:--[13]for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law.[14]Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam`s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.

17. How many ways are there to God?
A. Just one. Through Jesus - Unlike other men who have existed, Jesus was God in flesh. He said He was the only way to God. there are no other ways other than Jesus.

John:14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me., "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

John:10:1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber., "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber."

See also, Acts:4:12And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.; Titus:3:5not by works [done] in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,.

18. When you die . . .
B. You go to heaven or hell - Death brings us face to face with eternity. For those in Christ, heaven is the destiny. For those who reject Him, eternal damnation is the result.

Philippians 1:21-23, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far."

2 Corinthians:5:8we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord., "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

See also, Isaiah:59:2but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear.; 2 Thessalonians:1:9who shall suffer punishment, [even] eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,; Genesis:3:19in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.; 1 Corinthians:13:12For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

19. Evolution . . .
B. Is not a viable option for Christians - Evolution is not the fact it is told to be. It is not consistent with the Bible. God created man; man did not evolve.

Genesis:1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth., "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"

Hebrews:11:3By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear., "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

See also, Colossians:1:16for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;,17; Psalm:104:30Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created; And thou renewest the face of the ground.; Genesis 1-2.

20. Why did God create us?
C. To save us, love us, and have us love Him. - God's creation and our salvation were not just so we could live with Him. God desires fellowship and intimacy in a loving relationship with His people.

1 John:1:3that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ:, "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."

Revelation:21:3, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'"

See also, John:10:27-28[27]My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:[28]and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.; John:3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.; Philippians 2:1,2.

How did you do? Do you need to study more? Maybe you learned something here, or maybe even you disagree with something. If so, e-mail me and let me know.

As mentioned at the beginning of this test, there are some essential doctrines that if you deny them, you cannot call yourself a Christian. It is one thing to make a mistake, learn, and accept them. That is alright. It is quite another to refuse to believe them.

What are the essentials? Easy. The Bible tells us what they are. They are test questions number 3, 8, and 12.

3 - Jesus is God in flesh;
8 - Jesus rose from the dead in the same body he died in; and
12 - Salvation, or the forgiveness of sins, is by grace through faith. You cannot add anything to Jesus' finished work.

There are many extremely important doctrines in the Bible: the Trinity, resurrection, forgiveness, the virgin birth, etc. But the Bible itself declares that these three are essential. If you deny any one of the three then you are not a Christian.
If you would like to know more about these essentials, then please see The Three Essential Doctrines of Christianity

Remember the words of Paul to Timothy: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy:2:15Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.).